iVillage: 6 Ways You Can (and Can't) Control Cholesterol

History Repeats Itself

If you have a family history of high cholesterol, even exercise and a healthy diet may not be enough to decrease your cholesterol levels. If you know high cholesterol runs in your family, speak to your doctor about the best ways to manage your risk.

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A woman’s cholesterol levels may change — even if her diet doesn’t — after she goes through menopause. Women generate their own natural protection from heart disease in the form of estrogen. Since estrogen naturally raises high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, women tend to have higher HDL levels than men. As estrogen levels decline after menopause, however, out goes the good and in comes the bad — in this case, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol. As we age, HDL levels decrease and LDL levels begin to increase.

If you think smoking only damages your lungs, think again. It also lowers your good cholesterol (HDL) levels and increases the chances of fatty deposits building up inside of your blood vessels, a condition called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The good news is that by quitting smoking you can reverse some cholesterol damage. Plus, after one year without smoking, your excess risk of a heart disease is cut in half, according to the Surgeon General’s report on the benefits of quitting. Your blood pressure and heart rate can decrease in as little as 20 minutes after your last cigarette.

If you are managing diabetes, you’ll need to be careful managing your cholesterol as well. High blood sugar can increase bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and lower good cholesterol (HDL) levels. As a result, two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke. This doesn’t need to be a foregone conclusion though. According to the American Heart Association, lowering your LDL levels can decrease your risk of cardiovascular complications by as much as 20 to 50 percent.

If you have a family history of high cholesterol, even exercise and a healthy diet may not be enough to decrease your cholesterol levels. If you know high cholesterol runs in your family, speak to your doctor about the best ways to manage your risk.

What medications are you taking? The side effects of some drugs can actually raise cholesterol. This includes blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers and diuretics, as well as steroids like prednisone. If you are taking any of these drugs, talk to your doctor about monitoring your cholesterol.

New research suggests that a good attitude can give you more than a sunny disposition — it also can give you extra protection against heart disease. According to one study, pessimists were more likely than optimists to have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Pessimists also were more likely to be overweight and avoid exercise — important risk factors in high cholesterol. That’s a pretty good reason to change your habits and your outlook!